Automatic train pipe coupling



Oct. 24, 1933. D. H. THOMPSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLING 3 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1930 [NV EN TOR; Bean E .T'fiorzzpson, B Y

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D. H. THQMPSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1930 ,V...V.. 1.. f .2

Oct. 24, 1933. D. H. THOMPSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed Nov. 10, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENT OR. 7 flea/z E Thompson, BY

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 24, 1933 e 1,931,776 AUTOMATIC TRAIN PQIPE COUPLING Dean H. Thompson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November '10, 1930 Serial No; 494,725

13 Claims. (cits 1+6) I My invention relatestorand has fora purposev the provision of a coupling of, simple, rugged and compact construction, by which the train pipes of cars can be connected automatically in response to coupling of the carsso as to eliminate the manual connectionof'the pipes bythe trainmen With the attendant danger of. injury, all while avoiding the unsatisfactory use of flexible hose between the train pipes and- '10 coupling, and insuring that a fluid tight connection will be maintained by the coupling during service, irrespective of relative positions of the cars either vertically or horizontally, or varying conditions resulting from the subjec- 715 tion of the car coupler to draft or compression.

It is another purpose of my invention to provide atrain pipe coupling of the above de scribed character embodying nieansoperable automatically should the carcouplerpart and, the train break in two,,to.lclose the steam pipe and prevent loss of steam, as .well as avoid an .emergency application of" the brakes resultingfrom a full opening of thebrakepi'pe to atmosphere,

and instead insuring a relatively slow application of the brakes-to prevent damage to the train. Itis a further. purpose of ,my invention to provide a train pipecoupling adapted for use 13g on both passenger and freight, trains, and in a manner to connect both air. and steam lines while preventing excessive condensation'in the air line from heat of the steam line, as well as enabling the steam lineto be utilized as a secondary air line for freight service, to supplyair to that part of a long train'beyond' which pressure in'the main air line falls below service pressure.

I will describe only one form of automatic train pipe coupling embodying 'myinvention', and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. I I 1 In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a view showing in side elevation partly broken away,'one form of train pipe coupling embodying my invention, and occupying its pipe connecting position. i

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Figure land looking in the'- 24 complementary to the protuberances 23. 1'05 When two coupling elements 0 having comple-' direction of the arrows. Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 3-3 and '44 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the respective arrows. 1

Figure 5' is .a view similar to figure 2 and tion of the. arrows.

illustrating the disconnected position of the coupling-when carsare uncoupled, and

. "Figure 6 is a detailv sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5 and lookingin'the direc- Referring specifically to the drawings-in which similar reference characters designatesimilar parts in each of the several views, my invention in its present embodiment comprises two coupling .e'lementsC and C and two fluidcon- 5 ducting units U and U. for conducting fluid from the usual brake and steam pipes '10 and 11 of a car to the respective coupling elements. As the two coupling elements andthe two units are each identical in construction,.ga description 7 of one coupling element and its fluid conducting unit will suflice for both, but to distinguish; the parts of one element andjunit from those of the others, the numerals designating the parts of one element and unit are provided with-expo.- 7

nents.

The coupling element C comprises ahead 12 provided with a shank :13 terminating in a ball 14 co-acting with a socketlfi receiving the ball, to provide a universal .joint or connection. A coil spring 16 surrounds the shank 13 and ene gages the socket and head to ,yieldingly main tain the latter in. a central. position for proper engagement with a complementary head of ,an identical coupling element on another car.

The head 12 is-provided with a coupling face 17 inclinedwith respect to the longitudinal axisof the coupling element as shown in Figure and co-acting with a flaring tongue 18 on the head, to define a Wedge shaped pocket 19'into which ,a. complementary" head .of another couplingelement is received as shown in Figure. 2 to connect the heads-together when cars arecoupled by the conventional car coupler 20.

The. coupling element. C' is provided with a '5 duct 21 extending therethrough from the socket 15 to the coupling face 17 and surrounded by a flexible gasket 22 seating in a recess in the coupling. face as shownin Figure 2;- The forward end or nose of the. head 12 is provided with protuberances 23 projecting from the couplingface 1.7 and spaced apart a greater distance than the diameter of the gasket 22. The coupling face 17 is also'provided at its rear end-with depressions mentary heads provided with the protuberances and depressions as above described, are initially engaged with each other during a car coupling operation, the-protuberancesof each head will 1-10 ride over the coupling face of the other head to space apart the coupling faces of the two heads until the latter are fully engaged as shown "in Figure 2 so as to prevent wiping of one head across the gasket 22 of the other head with. pos' to the brake pipe and the section B to the coupling element 0 for oo-action in conducting fluid from the brake pipe to the coupling 'ele' ment without leakage, irrespective of th con-- stantly varying relative positions of two coupled cars during-service; I

The section A comprises a cylinder-25 closed at its ends by threadedly-secured caps '26 and .27, the former of which is. provided with an axially disposed inlet 28 in the form of a passage ex tendingthrougha" ball member 29 projecting from and integral with the cap. I The ball member'29 constitutes one part of a universal joint J ,--the other part of which is in the form of a I I hollow socket member 30 receiving theball member-and connected-to the brakeopipe 10 so that fluid from the latter will be conducted through the universal joint J to the inlet 28.

The section A also includes a "pipe 31 threaded at one end int'o the cap 26 so as to be axially disposed in the cylinder and extend longitudinally thereof: in communication with the inlet 28'. The opposite end'of the pipe 31 is partially closed and-provided with an axially disposed wr or opening surrounded by an annular valve seat 33 with which a valve element 34 provided on the section B is adapted to co-act to form a valve V for controlling the flow of fluid from the pipe 31 ina manner to be later described.

The sectionB comprises two-pipes 35 and 36, the former axially disposed in the latter and extending from the closed end '37 thereof 'for rigid connection to the-socket 15 of the coupling element C through'the medium of" a conventional angle cook 38; The pipe 36 of the section B is slidable freely through a stuffing b01139 on'the cap, and through an opening 40 in the latter so that the pipes 35 and 26 extend into'the cy der. The-pipe 35 extends through the opening 32 of the pipe 31 into the latter so as to be telescopically associated therewith, whereas the pipe 36 receives-the pipe 31 so as to also be telescopically associated therewith.

The inner end of thepipe 35 is closed by the valve element 34.- above referred to. and

this pipe is provided with a lateral port 41in the form of a longitudinally extending slot through-which fluidfrorn the pipe 31 is free to flow-into the pipe 735'.

a reduced amount of fluid from the brake pipe is permitted to discharge to atmosphere when the section .B occupies the-extreme or extended position shown in Figure 5,"under the biasing actionof a spring 43, so that although in this position of the section B, the port .41 clears'the' pipe 31,-and the; valve element 3 --coacts with the valve seat 33 to seal the opening 32 against the passage of fluid from the pipe 31, a sufficient quantity: of airwill escape through the vent port ,the pipe 36, and at its opposite end is oh;

The valve element: 34 is provided with a vent port '42 through which metallic bellows of annular form, surrounds the .pipe Elwithin the cylinder 25 and is secured at one end to a flange e5 on the inner end of- 99L between the cylinder and cap 26 so as to seal the pipes'against the escape of fluid therefrom while permitting free and unobstructed telescoping movement of the section B relative to the section A. V

The units U and U are supported horizontally fromthe frame of the car in superposed relation.

directly beneath the car coupler 20 by means of L-shaped brackets 46 secured to a flange 4'? on the socket member 30 and to a second flange e8 integralwith and connecting the socket mem bers 30 and 30*. The brackets 46 are's'ecured to 'a plate 4.9 and the'latter in turn is secured by bolts 50 to the ear frame. A brace 51 is secured to the socket member 30 and to the'car frame, and co-acts with the brackets to rigidly support the rear ends of the units U and U.

The forward'ends ofthe unit's U and Uf are supported for'swinging movement of the units horizontally about the axes of the universal joints J and J To this end a flange 52 formed integral with and rigidly connecting the sockets l5 and 15 of the coupling elements C and C, co-operates with the flange 48 to tie' the units U"'and U together in definite spaced relation one above the other. Upper and lower shoes 53 and 53 having arcuate recesses 5e and 54: respectively receiving portions of the stuffing boxes 39and 39 are slidably mounted on arouat e rails 55 and 55 forming part of a rectangw lar bracket 56 secured toa plate 57 which in turn is secured by bolts 58 170 the car frame. The units U and U are thus mounted to swing horizontally with, the coupling elementsC and C in..accordance with, the varying angular relationships of coupledcars during service. It will a be noted that the'single spring 43 is interposed betweenthe flange 52 and the stuffing boxes 39 and 3% and is mounted on a telescopic rod 59 so as to normally urge the sections B and B of the units U and U .to theextrerne or extended position shown in Figure 5 wherein the the carcouplers 20, the couplingelements C and C on one car will be engaged with the co: acting coupling elements on the other car and the sections 13 and B of-the units U and U forced inwardly together fromthe extended po sition shown in Figure 5 to the retracted posi-- tion shown in Figure 2, thus disengaging the valve element 34 from the respective seat'33 to permit the flow of air from the train pipes wand 11 ofone car through the now coupled tending longitudinally in the cylinder. and-com-v '50 eanne" I \the first Pipe, a coupling, element connected pairs: of coupling elements :6 and :0", to the corresponding rain :pipes of. the other :car, 7

.Should the couplers .720 partiwith the attendantdisconnection of the couplin elements-C "and C on one car from those on the other car,

the sections ,3 and. :B of the units U and-U on each, car will move to. extended position under the urging action-of the-sp ing $3 to thus-caus the 'valyeelements 34- to a ain en agethe re spective seats and thereby 8.8.321 thetitaiilfi.v Pipe 11 against the escapeof steam..- As: a reduced quantity of air'is free to; pass thr u h ihevent ports 42, a 'sufiicientquantity of air can escap from the brake. pipe 10 to prevent an. emergency application of the brakes, and instead produce aservice application.

In the use of .my invention onireight train not requiring a; supply of. st am, the rain pipe 11 can be :used as a secondary ai pipe n long trains, ,for supplying air to, the rear portion of the. train to boost the nressure-inthe brake pipe sufiiciently to-maintain-the necessary ervice pressure throughout the length of the train.

Although I have herein shown and described on y ne form of automatic train. p p p n embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may :be made therein withoutdepart-ing fromthe spirit of the intention and, the spirit nd scopeof he ppended claims.

Iclaiinr 1. In an automatic train pipe couplin a fluid conducting unit comprising telescopically associated fluid conductin sections; one of whi h i providedwith. a coupling element, av fluid con: ducting universal joint, one part of which is connectedto the second section v,and' 'conducts fiuidto the latter, and the ,otheripart' of which is adapted for connectionto a train pipe, of a car to conduct fluid fromthe trainpipe to the first part, means for adiustablv supporting said unit from the car while permitting movement of the unit about theaxisof the universal joint, and means :for urging. the-first section to one extreme position relative to the second section.- V ,2. In an automatictrain pipe coupling,.a fluid conducting unit comprising two sections, one in cluding'a cylinder having an inlet and a pipe exmunicating with the inlet, means forconnecting the inlet toa train pipe to receive fluid there.-

from, the second section having anloutlet and in the port is out of communicationwith the first pipe. l

3. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a fluid conducting unit comprising two sections, one including a cylinder having an inlet and a pipe extending longitudinallyv in the cylinder and communicating with the inlet, means for connecting the inlet to a train pipe to receive fluid therefrom, the second section having an outlet and including pipes one within the other and with the inner pipe in communication with the outlet, the pipes of the second section extending into the cylinder in telescopic association with toithe second section in. communication with the inn r pipe of the latter, the-inner p p having a throu h which fluid, from. the first pipe is free to flow into the inner pipe, means for urging the socondsection to anzextreme position wher in" the port. isout of communication. with the firs pip nd. oo-acting v lv mcans n the fi t p pe and i n r pipe. for sealin the first p p against ,the flow of ,fiuid; therefrom whenthe second secti n upies; saidextreme position- 4- n an autcmatictrain pip couplin a mud onducting-unit comprising two. se tions, one: in-

ludin -a ylinder haringan inlet and'a p pe extending longitudinally in the cylinder and therefrom, the secondjsceticn an ou let and includin pipe one within the other and with the inner pipe in communication-with h outlet, the p pes of the second-section extendin into :the cylinder in telescopic association with the first p pe, a; coupling element connected to thesecond section in communication with h inner .pipeof the, latter, the inner pipe. havin a p t through which fluid, from the first pipe is free to how into the inner pipe, means for urging the second section to anextreme position wherein the portis out of communication with the fir pipe, an co-actin vaivemeans on; the first pipe andzinner pipe for sealing the. first pip against the flow of fluid --ther.efr.om when, the. second section occupies said extreme position, the inner pipehaving a vent port through which a reduced quantity of'fiuid can, flow from'the first-pip :to theinner pine when the. second secpipe, acoupling-element connectedtothe second section "in: communication with theinner pipe of the-1atter,-the inner pipe having a port through whicirfluid-from the first .pipe, iszfree to flow, into the inner pipe, means for urging'the second section to one .extreme position, and a. sealing element correlated with the cylinder and 'outer pipe of the second section, to seal the joint between theputer pipe and the. first. pipe against the escapeof *fiuid from the pipes. Y 7

6. In an automatictrain pipe, coupling, afluid conductingflunit comprising two; sections, one intending longitudially in the cylinder and communicating with the inlet, means for connecting the inlet to a train pipe to receive fluid therefrom, the second section having an outlet and including pipes one within the other and with the inner pipe in communication with theoutlet, the pipes of the second section extending into the cylinder in telescopic association with the first pipe, a coupling element connected to the second section in communication with the inner pipe of the latter, the inner pipe having a port through which fluid from the first pipe is free to flow into the inner pipe, means-for urging the second section to one extreme position, and an I cludingacylinder having an inletand a pipe exv extensible sealing element in'the cylinder, secured to the latter and to the outer pipe of the second section, to seal the joint between the outer pipe and the first pipe against the escape of fluid from thepipes. I I

7. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a fluid conducting unit comprising two sections one including a cylinder having an inlet and. a pipe extending longitudinally in the cylinder and in communication with the inlet, the second section having'an outlet and including'a pipe 'communieating with the outletjand extending into the cylinder to telescopically receive the first pipe for theflow of fluid from'thelatter to the second. pipe, and a sealing bellows surrounding the first pipe, and connected to the second pipe to seal thejoint between the latter and first pipe against the'escape'of fluid from the pipes. a I

8. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a fluid conducting unit comprising telescopically associated fluid conducting sections, one of which is provided with a coupling element, means for connecting the other section to the train pipe 01" acar, means for urging the first section to one extreme position relative to the second section, the coupling element having a head provided with an inclined coupling face, and having a fluid conducting passage opening tosaid face, means on the coupling element coacting with saidface to define a wedge shaped pocket into which the head offa complementary coupling elem'en-tis adapted to be received for co-actionwith said face in producing a fluid tight joint, a gasket seated in'th'e coupling face and surrounding said pas sage, and means for maintaining the coupling face spaced from the coupling face of' a comple mentary coupling element until thecoupling elements are engaged. I I 9. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a fluid conducting unit comprising telescopically associated fluid conducting'sections, one of which is provided with a coupling element, means for connecting the other section to the'train pipe of a car, means for urging the first section to one extreme position relative. to the second section, the coupling element having a head provided with an inclined coupling face, and having a fluid conducting passage opening'tosaidface,

means on the coupling element coasting. with said face to define a wedge shaped'pocket into which the head of a complementary coupling element is'adaptedto. be received for 'co-action with said face in producing a'fluid tight joint;

and protuberances on, and depressions in the coupling fa'ce' co-actingwith a complementary lating communication from one tube to the other tube, a coupling element having an inclined face for contactingwith an inclined face on a companioncoupling element, there being extending outwardly from the inner end of said' inclined face, a conducting element, a fluidconductinguniversal joint connecting the head at the rear of the fluid passage with the con ducting element, resilient means for holding the head yieldingly relativelyto the fluid-conducting universal'joint, there being a depression in the inclined face for receiving a protuberance on a companion fluid-conductingunit, anda protuberance on the inclined facefor disposal in a depression in "the said companion fluidconducting unit. I 1

12. In'anautoinatic train pipe coupling, telescoping tubes, valve means for regulating the flow of a fluid through the tubes, a fluid-conducting universal joint having two parts, one part being secured to one of the tubes, supporting means for the other part, guidemeans for directing the transverselmovement of the telescoping tubes,*a second fluid-conducting universal joint having two parts,,one of which is conneoted with another tube, a' couplinghead connected'with the other partof the second mentioned fluid-conducting universal joint, and resilient means for holding the coupling head yieldingly relatively-1o the second mentioned fluid-conductinguniversal joint.

13. In an automatic train pipe coupling, telecoping tubes,i valve. means .-'for regulating the flow of a fluid through the tubes, a fluid-con ducting universal joint. having two parts, one part being secured'to one of thetubes, support ing meansforthe other part, guide means for directing the transverse movement of the tel scoping tubes, asecond fluid-conducting univer-- sal joint having two parts, one. of whichis connected with another tube,:a couplinghead con-. nected With the, other partof the second mentioned fluid-conducting universal joint, resilient means for holding thecoupling head yieldingly relatively to the secondv :mentioned fluid-com ductinguniversal jointjand resilient means for holding the secondumentioned fluid-conducting.

universal joint extended from thex'first mien tioned fluid-conducting. universal joint; I

DEAn H. THOMPSON. I

at V 

